1) Aeroflot Open

Belorussian GMs Alexei Aleksandrov and Alexei Federov tied with Viorel
Bologan of Moldova and Peter Svidler of Russia for first in the 2nd
Aeroflot Open. The four winners tied at 7-2 with Bologan apparently
winning the event on tiebreak. Gregory Kaidanov, who finished first
last year, was once again among the leaders throughout, but lost with
Black in the last round to Svidler to end up with six points. US Champion
Alex Shabalov had 4 1/2.

David Gliksman and James Thinssen, who both grew up in Southern
California, finished with 4 1/2 and 4 points from 9. in the B group.

2) People's Open

IMs Ricardo DeGuzman and John Donaldson tied for first in the Open section of 30th People's Open held February 15-17 on the UC Berkeley campus. The two winners, who drew in round three, scored 5 from 6, to take home $425 apiece. Teenager Monty Peckham of Oakland was clear third at 4 1/2 and should go over 2200 as a result. 13-year-old Alex Setzepfandt, also of Oakland, had an excellent result in tying for fourth at 4-2 with FM Richard Kelson of Clayton.

While overall attendance was excellent with 157 players in the main event and 112 scholastic players, the Open was weaker than normal with only three IMs and 5 other masters in the 22-player section. Don Shennum did an excellent job directing the event and has already posted a list of all prize winners, as well as crosstables from each section, at http://wave.prohosting.com/~dshennum/peoples/peoplesresults.htm

3) MI Winter Tuesday Night Marathon

Only one round remains in the Winter Tueday Night Marathon but the battle
for first remains very unclear. Four players are presently tie for first
at 5 1/2 from 7 (IM Walter Shipman, NMs Russell Wong and Igor Margulis
and Burmese Expert Win Aung Lee) and there is a large group half a
point behind. Incidentally the 80-player field ties the attendance
record for a TNM, equaling the turnout for the MI Winter Marathon
of 1973. According to the January-February 1974 issue of the California
Chess Reporter that twelve round event was won by NM Peter Cleghorn at
10 1/2 with NM Dennis Waterman second at 10. Three of the players
(Peter Grey, Paul Vayssie and Max Wilkerson) who participated in that
Marathon are also playing in the current one thirty years later!.

4) MI Chess History CD: Volume 1

The staff of the Mechanics' Institute recently completed the first of a
two volume series on the history of the Mechanics' Institute Chess Room.
The fruits of their research are available on a CD which includes almost
90 pages of text, approximately 10 photos from the MI archives and over
150 games in ChessBase format. Visits of World Champions Lasker (twice),
Capablanca, Alekhine (twice), and Euwe, are among the highlights. The
price of the CD is $10 + $1 for shipping. To order, send a check payable
to the Mechanics' Institute for $11 to: Mechanics' Institute, Room 408,
57 Post Street, San Francisco, CA, 94104.

Beginners welcome, no experience required. Relaxed, stress-free
environment .Each player plays 5 games, no elimination. Each player has
20 minutes to complete all moves. Prizes to top 10 and best result in
each grade K-6 . Chess sets supplied for all games. Players receive
Coastside ratings (not USCF rated) Directions: From South: Take route 92
West until it ends in Half Moon Bay. Turn right (N) on Rt. 1. Proceed
about 8 miles to 2nd Street. From North: Take Rt. 1 south to Montara. 2nd
street is first turn. To get to Rt. 1, use 280, or Skyline Blvd (rt 35) On
2nd Street, go one block to Main Street, turn right, then immediately
turn left on 3rd street. Up two blocks, school is on the left at Le Conte
Ave. Please arrive by 1:00 so that we can start the games promptly at
1:30. Games will begin at approximately 1:30, 2:20, 3:15, 4:00 and 4:45,
with playoffs, if needed, at 5:30. Organized by Coastside Chess Club
(Naomi Hirayasu, President). Directed by International Arbiter Eric
Schiller. For more information, contact coastsidechessclub@yahoo.com.

To enter, send the following information, together with a check for $15
made payable to Coastside Chess Club, to Coastside Chess, c/o Chessworks,
P.O. Box 1048, El Granada CA 94018. Entries must be received by February
27, 2003. Late registration available on site, but the entry fee is $20
if not entered in advance. Please also email the information to
coastsidechess@chessworks.com, so that we can confirm your entry by email.

Player Name
School Grade
Date of Birth
Parent(s) Name
Email
Phone Number
USCF rating (if any)